Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes...

Today was a garden working day. The Farmer and the kids picked the majority of the tomatoes and so today I worked up the ones ready. 

We ended up with 34 quarts! Not a bad first batch. I think there is at least one more big day coming but then the tomatoes will be done for the year. 

I did try the new reusable lids I got from Lehmanns. I'll have to let you know how they work out. 

Just off the Bus!

Video of the kids right after they got off the bus their first day!

It looks like the kids will be getting on the bus between 7:30-7:40 each morning and will be getting home around 4:05 in the afternoon.

Copyright © 2014 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

First Day of School 2014

Well, the kids are off to their first day of public school. I have to say the Farmer was a bit more emotional than I was and I was surprised at how well I did!

There was quite a bit of stress regarding the bus, but it all worked out! 

Here's to a great year with lots of growth for us all!

Dating Anniversary

I woke up to find these waiting for me! The Farmer loves to celebrate our Dating Anniversary! 13 years.

(see full image)

Scary Vacation Mishap

I am thanking the Good Lord this morning for His protection!

Last night was a typical night in the hotel. We got jammies on, read a story, and settled everyone in on their sleeping bags. Then, the Farmer and I turned in too! Everyone was more tired than usual from the very long hike at Agate Fossile Beds, but other than that, a normal night.

Though I was very tired, I wasn't sleeping very soundly when I thought I heard a door click. I laid there for a minute thinking one of the kids had gone to the bathroom when I realized the light in the room hadn't changed-which would have happened had someone gone to the bathroom!  So I got up to check the room: JONNY WAS GONE!

I rechecked the bathroom to make sure, but he wasn't in the room! Seeing as it was some time between 11 pm and 3 am, it took my brain a minute to put it all together. When I did, I opened the outside door which wasn't locked and looked out!

Way down at the opposite end of the hall, there was Jonny looking around like nothing was wrong and he was enjoying the scenery. Not caring that I was in my pjs, I quickly walked down to him and with a little persuasion coaxed him back to the room. Once inside, he laid down and was completely out!  Apparently he was sleep walking.

This morning when I asked him if he remembered any of it, he said he didn't remember anything but he did have a dream about going through a door and down this really cool road!  

All I can say for sure is that I didn't sleep much the rest of the night and the next time we stay in a hotel, I will be putting something in front of the door so it doesn't happen again! Thank God I woke up and nothing dreadful happened!

Agate Fossil Beds

Grandpa Dan took us in his mobile home to the Agate Fossil Beds north of Mitchell. The kids had a great time looking at the various things inside the visitors center and then hiking the 2+ mile trail!

We also got a good view of E's two sides:

The ornery side and the angelic side!

Thanks grandpa for a wonderful day away!

Vacation Truth

We are on our trip to Scottsbluff for a visit and last bit of vacation before school starts. As is typical, the Farmer decided to take an alternate route without a lot of pre-planning which brings a bit of stress to the drive.

So, he asks me for directions and I load my navigation app on my new iPhone. Amazingly, he thinks that is pretty cool as long as he can go where he wants but when he goes against its advice and has to turn around he asks for the "real" map!

I, of course, tell him it is not fair to blame the app which he has dubbed 'Siri' though it is not actually "her". Anyway, we get it figured out after a few tense moments.

Fast forward a few hours and the Farmer again decides to take a detour and asks, "Will she get mad it I go see the dam."  I tell him I'll just pause the directions and we'll be fine. 

As we are getting back on track I turn navigation on again and the Farmer comments how polite 'Siri' always is in giving her directions - insinuating others could learn from her! This is when Abi pipes up with "Dad, you should call her 'Deary' instead because you seem to like her instructions better than mom's"!

Out of the mouth of babes! 😊

Last Days of Summer

Took the kids on one last trip to the pool and then out to a movie to celebrate the last days of Summer 2014. 

2014 School Enrollment

Well, it's done! All three older kids are set to go to Smith Cente Public school in 11 days!

This will be a big adjustment for us all, but I have an amazing peace. I pray for each of my children and I hope this new stage will be a huge blessing and time of enormous growth for them!

Pool Fun

After missing out for a week, the kids are having a blast in the pool!

Church Picnic 2014

The kids had a lot of fun! There were many activities but here is just a few quick snippets from pic stitch!

New Do - Mommy

So, with our back to school prep going on, I decided I was wanting a change too. Here is my before pic:

And then here is my after:

I now have curls and layers and style to do all kids of fun things. Here is one new style I had a few days ago:

Abi helped take a pic while I was driving to VBS that morning! 

Kansas' Biggest Rodeo & the Kats Cousin Reunion

This weekend was Rodeo weekend in Phillipsburg and the Kats family reunion. The Kats family is the Farmer' mother's family. They get together every four years I think. This year each family was distinguished with a colored bandana: our family line was blue: 

After sharing a meal, we most of us went to the rodeo parade: 

One of the Farmer's cousins was in this car!

After the parade, we had the privilege of going to the old homestead to visit with the Veltkamp family and allow the kids to take naps. Then it was off to the rodeo.

It was decided that Ethan would put his name into the hat for a chance to mutton bust! He was drawn third:

But when it came time to climb onto the sheep, he just could not do it! 

Despite this and the rain that came, we still had a great time and the kids enjoyed their first rodeo experience!

Abi's Birthday 2014

In celebration of Abi's 10th birthday we went to the waterpark in Beloit!

I didn't get many pictures but the kids enjoyed the slides and lazy river! After a few hours of play, we ant to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cake and dinner!

We were very happy to have our friends the Haresnapes meet us at the waterpark and really enjoyed our day.

HAPPY BIRHDAY SWEET GIRL!!!!